CMT meets demand for rapid lube oil and cylinder monitoring

(Posted on 03/09/24)

Pioneering condition monitoring solutions company CM Technologies (CMT) has developed new tools to assess the condition of lubricating oils and cylinder liners, in a development that marks a significant step forward in diesel engine performance optimisation.

The company’s new WBS IR Analyser is an advanced all-in-one infrared-based solution designed to assess the Base Number, soot and water content of cylinder and system oils, while the new CMT Scuffing Sensor can detect sudden and severe wear of the engine’s cylinder liners and piston rings well before other systems can see it.

“Modern engines are less tolerant to the rigours of maritime operation than yesteryears’ workhorses and need to be correctly maintained and lubricated to prevent failure,” said Matthias Winkler, CMT’s Managing Director. “Engine technology has advanced markedly in recent years, but lube oil failure remains the most common cause of engine damage, accounting for 28% of all machinery insurance claims, with an average cost of US$1.2million per claim. The condition monitoring technology we have developed can help optimise engine performance, prevent costly engine damage and downtime, and reduce insurance claims.”

The WBS IR Analyser follows market demand for a simple-to-use lube oil condition monitoring tool that does not need costly refill chemicals and reagents typical of existing lube oil test kits. Unlike the current method, the CMT solution also provides results within seconds.

Capable of measuring three important parameters (water, BN, soot) instantly and simultaneously, the small, handheld analyser incorporates the same infrared technology used for laboratory-grade oil screening to provide quick and reliable results onsite.

A small oil sample is exposed to the infrared wavelengths to screen for additives and other substances to provide more reliable data on the composition of the oil.

“The WBS IR Analyser allows engine room crews to quickly monitor for oil degradation so that ship managers can more efficiently schedule an oil change, reducing operational costs and potential engine damage,” said Winkler.

Cost and damage limitation were also key drivers behind the development of the CMT Scuffing Sensor.

“The main cause of sudden and sever wear of the cylinder liners – scuffing – is an inadequate lubrication film on the liner wall. But current monitoring methods, such as drain oil analysis, liner wall temperature readings, and visual port inspections are often too late and time consuming,” said David Fuhlbruegge, CMT’s Operations Manager.